Walden Pond State Park

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Hours:	Hours Vary see below
Ages:	Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Outdoor
Cost:	Free see below
Category:	Hiking/Walking

Other Ideas: Minuteman Trail National Park; Maudslay State Park; Massachusetts DCR State Parks; Rose Kennedy Greenway; Fruitlands Museum Walking Trails

Henry David Thoreau lived for two years at Walden Pond in the mid-nineteenth century and wrote of his experiences in the well-known book Walden. Walden Pond is a National Historic Landmark and is considered the birthplace of the conservation movement.

The Reservation includes 400 acres surrounding the pond which has a small beach, a swimming area and canoeing. There are also great trails to walk on all around the pond, wildlife to see and the charming replica of Henry David Thoreau's house to visit.

Very peaceful in the midst of lush green trees and the pond. You can hear the birds whistling and chattering, much like Thoreau must have when he lived and studied here.

The area is popular for fishing, swimming, and walking. To protect the natural resources of the area and ensure that Walden Pond remains a pleasant place for people in the future, the number of visitors is limited to no more than 1,000 people at a time. Dogs, bicycles, floatation devices and grills are prohibited.

Find lots more ideas on fun things to do in Boston.

HOURS

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Open 7:00am - 8:00pm (5:00am for boats). No dogs or bikes. Parking lot fills quickly on hot days. Best to arrive early. No flotation devices are allowed in the pond.

Summer hours:
Sunday - Saturday 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Fall hours:
Sunday - Saturday 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

COST

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Parking is $8/car or free with a $60 DCR parks membership per year. It's free to pedestrians and bikers but access is limited during busy Summer days, (that is, park is closed to everyone when car park is full. One can only enter at certain times during day when they re-open).

WEBSITE

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www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/walden-pond-state-reservation.html

LOCATION

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915 Walden Street, Concord, MA, 01742 map
Phone: (978) 369-3254

TIPS

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Call first to check for parking availability; visitors are limited to 1000 at a time.

REVIEWS

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Best pond in Mass

walden pond is the best pond to visit in mass that i know the whole crew and facility are great from the clean bathroom to the professionalism of the staff and how clean they keep the pond and measure and adjust to tie changes its awesome, and how they limit the amount of people at a time is like being in a private little free resort and life guards always paying attention so the people are safe. great place kids friendly.